Climate change and urban sustainability: A review on resilience strategies, adaptive governance, and sustainable development pathways
Abstract
Urban areas are at the epicentre of climate change impacts, contributing over 70% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while simultaneously being the most vulnerable to climate-induced hazards such as urban heat islands, flooding, drought, and air pollution. This comprehensive review examines the intersection of climate change and urban sustainability, synthesising evidence from 120 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025. The review explores four interrelated dimensions: (1) climate change vulnerabilities in urban environments; (2) resilience strategies and adaptive infrastructure; (3) adaptive governance frameworks and policy pathways; and (4) technological innovations enabling sustainable urban transitions. Assumed datasets from 45 cities across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas are analysed to identify patterns in urban temperature rise (average +1.8°C above rural baselines), flood frequency (increase of 37% over the decade), and the effectiveness of green infrastructure interventions (up to 42% reduction in surface runoff). The review finds that integrated, multi-scalar governance models paired with nature-based solutions (NbS) and smart city technologies offer the most robust pathways toward climate-resilient urban futures. Key barriers include inadequate financing, siloed governance, and inequitable distribution of climate risk. Recommendations are provided for policymakers, urban planners, and researchers to accelerate urban climate resilience through participatory planning, data-driven decision-making, and inclusive policy design. This review contributes to the growing body of literature on applied urban resilience and aligns directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
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Authors
Copyright (c) 2026 Swati Narendra Bawankar, Pavankumar N, Mohammed Shakeebulla Khan, Vijaya G. S., Jagdip Tanaji Patil (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright (c) 2025 International Journal of Applied Resilience and Sustainability (IJARS) 
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.